COVID-19 Update

Advanced motorcycle coaching gets back on the road again in England and Northern Ireland from Monday (15 June) after a three-month suspension due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions on travel and social distancing.

The UK’s largest independent road safety charity has issued detailed guidelines to ensure the current social distancing rules are followed at all times and advanced rider coaching is carried out with personal safety in mind.

The move has been widely welcomed by the IAM RoadSmart biker community which has also been able to re-start social rides in England and Northern Ireland, in line with guidance on outdoor gatherings.

Social distancing and travel restrictions in Scotland and Wales mean IAM RoadSmart bikers must wait a little longer to return to the road to provide coaching and enjoy social rides again.

IAM RoadSmart’s advanced driving and riding groups across England and Northern Ireland have been preparing for the return to one-to-one on-road coaching since it was announced by the Government and the devolved administration that social restrictions were to be eased. The return to advanced biker coaching coincides with the re-opening of non-essential shops in England.

The move marks a slow return to the delivery of advanced driver and rider coaching which can help reduce vehicle, fuel and insurance costs, improve road safety, boost confidence and reduce travel stress.

We are delighted to be able to get those taking the advanced rider course back on the road. Our community of passionate and skilled bikers have made personal safety their number one priority by following the rules on social distancing and non-essential travel. They have been great ambassadors for motorcycling IAM RoadSmart and road safety. Our volunteer Observers and Examiners have been brushing up their skills over the last couple of weeks to make sure that when our Associates resume their coaching, they are doing so to the same high standards we always aspire to maintain - Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s Head of Driver and Rider Standards

1-to-1 OR's are now available for LAM Associates, which can be booked on our website. There is a charge of £12.00 to cover Observer’s expenses. Using our online shop allows for it to be collected without money physically changing hands. The Observer expenses will be passed directly to the Observer.

Please state your preferred time and date and where you are based in the 'order notes' space. It will help if you can also provide alternative times and dates.

Upon receipt of your order, we will endeavour to fulfil your request and, subject to availability, you will be contacted directly by an Observer who will make arrangements to meet with you and to carry out your OR.

If an Observer has not been in touch with you within 72 hours, please email Jane Harle to advise. 

If an OR cannot be arranged for any reason your payment will be refunded.

Your safety and that of the Observer is paramount and the OR will be conducted using enhanced COVID-19 protocols which will be shared with you by your Observer ahead of the OR.   We would ask that you read and adhere to these protocols at all times.

Should the IAM or HM Government vary any 'Lockdown' requirements then we will seek to amend any relaxation or restrictions accordingly.

This is by no means a return to normal for the Group so please remember we are all volunteers and therefore we cannot guarantee any OR or availability of Observers. LAM continues to monitor announcements from Government and the devolved administrations carefully and update our guidelines accordingly.